Born 1951.
I didn’t know the politics of the time, being so young but I could sense differences of what was and what I had. I had running water and electricity and a toilet. My grandparents did not have a toilet so I did get to experience the joys of a pit toilet...a 2 holer and a set of steps up: a master crapper if ever there was one.
I remember black and white tv with Mickey Mouse, Howdy Doody, Mrs. Francis [”Are you a Do Bee or a Don’t Bee?”] and Disney. Going to the movies to see such classics like Bambi, Snow White and Song of the South.
I did not know the rural life. I was in a tract home in a small town near Philly. There were many Levittowns and they did change the face of America. Suburbia was a thing.
I recall the fear of nuclear wars and the ridiculous war drills in school, covering our heads in the hallway.
There was Breyers vanilla ice cream in dixie cups. There were Sugar Smacks and Rice Krispies and chocolate milk.
There were kids with braces on their legs from polio, There was measles and chicken pox that we all survived.
Much was gained in the 1950’s and a lot was lost. I guess it was trade-offs.
“There were kids with braces on their legs from polio”
I never saw one, but I remember the great fear of polio. We got the first Salk vaccine on sugar cubes. Mom would not let us swim in any public pools.
Good old Romper Room.